Charitable contributions and projects fuel client inspiration

Have you ever done charity work or community service? If so, when was the last time? As entrepreneurial fitness professionals, it’s hard to find time to do such things. But there can be a 3-dimensional value in doing so.

Value 1: Making charitable contributions and doing community projects can help fuel inspiration. You already provide a service to your community as a fitness professional, giving levels-up your spirit. It would also provide a shift in perspective and somewhat of a breakaway from the daily responsibilities of running a business.

Value 2: You would have the chance to build a relationship with a respected organization or non-profit in your area, thereby increasing your visibility in your community. If you have multiple locations, you can choose which area(s) to focus on, eventually doing service in each community.

Value 3: There is potential to increase your platform and clientele as a result of creating a brand presence. By contributing to a non-profit or being part of a community project, you will meet others and be in contact with individuals you may not ordinarily reach through your business marketing efforts.

The key to experiencing these 3-dimensional values is to go into a project or organization with an altruistic purpose and with a genuine and authentic attitude to want to contribute. Most individuals and companies will pick up your motivations behind volunteering your time and expertise. If you go in solely for dimensional values 2 and 3, it may not serve such a hearty purpose and a successful endeavor. Here’s some tips on how to build your brand presence while simultaneously serving your community/the organization you chose:

1) If you’re already doing community service on behalf of a non-profit or community organization, discuss your business with the leader or the marketing department. Chances are, they have a social media presence on either Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or all of them. By doing something as simple as taking a few pictures or possibly blogging about an event they hold, sharing on both your page and their page, you are not only providing your organization visibility on your page, but it works the other way too.

2) If you aren’t doing anything like this, sit down and consider what kind of activities you like to do that are separate from your business or that peak your interest. You can also look at your individual and core business values. Based on this, you can start researching organizations that serve your area or causes you believe in that your community needs fulfilled. Sometimes, you may end up partnering with an organization who supports your interests and may be very similar to your business. For example, if you enjoy hiking and being active outdoors organizations such as REI or the Sierra Club may have opportunities to volunteer or be part of a project. If you are an animal lover, you may be able to volunteer at a local animal shelter. If you are a purist fitness lover, you may want to approach organizations in your community and offer to do a complimentary group fitness class, a Boot Camp, or fitness-related workshop on a regular basis. If you have a spiritual practice, talk to the leaders where you practice and see how your business can serve your spiritual community. Perhaps you can do a day of fitness for them and create an event for the others in the group.

3) Talk to the marketing department or the people who oversee the social media marketing for the organization with which you’ll be doing community service. When you go to the event (especially if you go as a team), make sure you ‘check-in’ on all appropriate social media platforms. Take pictures and post in accordance to your and the organizations’ marketing rules.

4) After the event is over, send a thank you or follow-up to the organization. This can help to build a long-term relationship whereby you can continue to partner with the organization in future events and community projects.

Partnering with a non-profit organization or community project in your community can help your business to be viewed as a committed main stay. It can also let others whom you ordinarily wouldn’t ordinarily meet, or reach get to know you, your team, and your organization. This can lead to a 3-dimensional value. The most important caveat towards using this approach is to truly want to help above all. The other values come as a result of serving your community through your business.